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The Montoursville Area School Board is months away from passing a spending plan for the next fiscal year, but one issue raised by business manager Brandy Smith concerns cyber school expenses.
Smith reported to school directors Tuesday that total costs are expected to come to $1.4 million.
The problem, she noted, is the cyber school budget is only projected for $545,000.
With student enrollment down, subsidies coming to the district have decreased.
"Last year at this time we didn't expect it," Smith said. "We do have a healthy fund balance."
High school Principal Dan Taormina reported to the board that every effort is being made to keep schools open five days a week.
During COVID-19, he noted, opportunities and activities are available as much as possible for students.
"COVID is really absorbing so much time from an administrative standpoint," he said. "I am pleading for everyone to wear masks."
School board members discussed continuing holding meetings in virtual sessions.
Ron Snell called for going back to in-person meetings. Dotte Mathers opposed.
"This works," she said. "I get to talk. I get to hear."
Susan Beery said, with rising numbers of COVID-19 infections, now is not the time to hold in-person meetings.
Dale Ulmer and Scott Konkle agreed that the board should continue to hold virtual meetings.
"If there is so much concern, does that mean you want to stop sports and in-person learning?" Snell asked.
Mathers said virtual learning doesn't work for students.
"This (virtual meetings) works," she said.
District resident Tina Marie Kline said she felt the board should go back to in-person meetings.
In other matters, the board approved Promiseland Bussing rates of $2,295 for October.
The board approved Tim Bachman to fill a long-term special education position and Sherri Hitesman and Kendra Pardoe as guest teachers.